Branding attachment for wrapping machines



1933- J. E. MCKINNON BRANDING ATTACHMENT FOR WRAPPING MACHINES Filed May 26. 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. yaw? MW BY I v M A ORNEY.

Dec. 12, 1933. J, E, McKlNNON 1,938,969

BRANDING ATTACHMENT FOR WRAPPING MACHINES Fil ed May 26. 1933 s Sheets-Sheet 2 VJ INVENTOR.

BY Wm ATTORNEY.

Dec. 12, 1933. J. E. McKlNNON 1,938,969

BRANDING ATTACHMENT FOR WRAPPING MACHINES Filed May 26, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

' Patented Dec. 12,1933

BRANDING ATTACHMENT FOR .wasrrmo MACHINES James MoKinnom-Golumbus, Ohio, assignorto Mazer-Cressman Cigar Co. .-Inc., Detroit, "Mich.

Application Mayftfi, 1933. Serial-No; 672,992

1 Claims.

This invention relates to branding attachments for wrappingmachines, used for wrapping cigars in transparent tissue or the like.

.E'or some years, especially since the wrapping 7 5 of cigars in-transparent tissueor thelike has become a common practice, it-has been considered desirable to brand the outerleaf of a cigar with a suitab1e.;legend, which maybe the name of a large 'purchaserof. cigars or which may be a trade 1 name or trade mark. ,Prior to vmyinvention,

branding ,ofcigars had been accomplished,.but

in a laborious and expensive fashion. In prior attempts at branding, completely manufactured cigars .were transported to a branding station,

where they were branded, and the branded cigars were then transported to a wrappingmachine,

which wrapped the branded'and completely manufactured cigars. Inv known cases,.,the branding stationincludednothing more than a table and anautomaticallyoperable brander by means of which thebrand was applied. to theouterleafqof the cigar,'fthe vbrander being of the heated roller type or oftheheated press type.

Brandingin this fashion, in a separatestation,

. 5 provedunsatisfactory formany reasons a principalQr'eas'onbeing the highpercentage of cigars which were. found to have broken outer. leafs, and which? had to be rejected. .'It,therefore,' became an" object of my, invention to .devise. means for brandi'ngci'gars in such a way that the percentage of brokemleaf cigars was .e'ifectivelyminimized.

In attainingmy object, I sought the cause of broken leafs and discovered that branding by heat weakened the outer leaf .to a considerable extent, especially immediately after branding,

and that recently brandedcigars could notwithstand the abuse andabrasion incident to their being stacked in trays, as they left the branding station, and incident to theirjbeing transported,

40 instacks in trays, to the wrapping station. "Following such discovery, I proposed to have the branded cigars carriedindividually to the wrapping devices, and further proposed to time the branding operation with respect to the wrapping operation in such a manner that there was no appreciable interval between: the two operations.

In attaining'my desire s,'I took cognizance .of the fact that a common type of wrapping machine included an intermittently rotating table having pockets in which cigars were disposed, the machine carrying cigars, through various stations, to wrapping parts. '.I recognized that in this type of. machine, one of the. stations which preceded thewrapping station was anidle one and was not usedfor any purpose. I, therefore, proceeded to utilize this station as a locus for a branding operation, and convertedthe station from an idle one into a branding station, by equipping the machine witha branding press, operating on cigars as they pass through this station. It then occurredto meto have the brandingpress automatically operable by apart which was synchronouslytimed to the, intermittentrotation of the table. In-.the.type of machine I had before me, I discovered a tripper. arm disposed above the r0- tating table, which moved upwardly as the table rotated andmoved downwardly when the table came to rest, in its intermittent rotation, I, therefore, proceeded to use this tripper part as the. operating and timing means for the branding press and thenproceeded to adapt, a branding press for cooperating'with this tripper part, for the purposes. desired.

I first provided a horizontally disposed branding arm,.positioned.above the rotating table and pivotally mounted at one end thereof, on a horizontal pivot, to rotate in a vertical plane. The other end of. the arm, namely, the free end, I connected to thetr-ipper part, so that the branding arm would, move upand, down with the tripper part, theresult being that the arm would move up before the table rotated out of its stations, and would move down when the table came to rest, in its intermittent rotation.

On the branding arm, I secured a vertically disposed branding iron having on its lower end a branding press, the-latterbeing heated by the iron, and beingcarried by and with the arm in its intermittent ,up and downmovement.

It.then, occurred to me to provide adjustable movement-limiting or stop means for the branding arm so thatlthe'latter and its press would assume .a predetermined and adjustably fixed position at the end; of each downward or brandingstrokeof the same. This feature insured the branding press.;dropping down to andpressing againstxtheoigaras.much as necessary and no more, andprevented to a large extent, the branding of cigars too lightly or too heavily.

As a further safety feature, I provided, for the branding arm, a -means for insuring the branding arm'being raised out of brandingposi tion whenever the intermittent rotation of the rotating table was-stopped by the operator, as for example,when-he wished'to shut down the machine-for any reason whatever, it being observed that a recognizable distinction exists between the stopping of the rotating table in-its intermittent stationrtoqstati'on rotation, and an operator-controlled, temporary or permanent stopping of the intermittent rotation of the table.

In the type of machine I had before me, I observed that the intermittent rotation of the table was stopped by the movement of a lever, manually the case, no damage would be done to that particular cigar by the prolonged application of the branding press to that particular cigar. Under such circumstances, the branding press was automatically elevated out of contact withf the cigar by the very movement that discontinued the intermittent rotation of the table. 1

From the foregoing, then, it will be observed that there has been provided by the invention an efficient and satisfactory branding attachment for wrapping machines. .One such'attachment, in place on a wrapping machine, is disclosed in the appended drawings by way of illustration,

and referring to these drawings, it will be seen that Fig. 1 shows, in plan, parts of a common wrapping machine, equipped with a branding attachment of the invention and its accessories;

Figs. 2, 3, and 4, areelevational fragmentary sections as if on lines 2' 2, 3--3, and'4-4, of Figs. 1, 1, and 2, respectively;

Fig. 2 showing the branding arm, together with its associated parts;

Fig. 3 showing the means for discontinuing intermittent rotation of the rotating-table, and for automatically and simultaneously elevating the branding arm, when the intermittent rotation of the rotating table is discontinued; and

Fig. 4 showing, in elevation, the connection between the tripper part of the machine and a part of the branding arm; j I

Fig. 5 shows, in up-side-down perspective view, the branding press fabricated to brand the'fictitious word, Xmith on the outer leaf of a cigar. 1

For an understanding of the drawings, reference is had to the following detailed'description of the parts therein shown, in which description reference numerals are used to denote correspondingly numbered parts of the drawing, like figures being chosen for like parts.

In the drawings, therei's shown parts of a common type of wrapping machine, one which includes a stationary top or table 10 above which intermittently rotates a horizontally disposed cigar carrying table 11, the latter being support-= ed on a vertical pedestal 12, and being. actuated by a suitable intermittent rotation mechanism,

such as a Geneva mechanism or the like, the same not being shown since it forms no part of the present invention. The rotating table is provided with a plurality of elongated pockets 14 disposed in a more or less circular arrangement around the table, the pockets opening upwardly, and being shaped and proportioned to receive andhold in' place cigars to be branded and wrapped.

In the machine shown, there happen to be six pockets 14 and consequently six stations, sta

tions 1 to 4 only being specifically indicated by numerals, and these stations will briefly be described as follows: In station 1, a cigar 16 is introduced into the pocket 14, the cigar occupying a position in the pocket substantially as shown. As the table 11 rotates counterclockwise, the

. cigar is moved from station 1 to station 2, and

since this station' is the branding station, the top surface of the cigar, in this station, will be branded by the branding attachment which will later be described. From the branding station, the cigar is moved through station 3, which is an idle station,to station 4, where it is wrapped by means of a wrapping device, not here shown, since it forms no part of the present invention.

Disposed above the iablell and crossing it, is a tripper bar 20, connectedto a tripper shaft 22, and to the table rotating means in such a .manner that it moves in a vertical plane and about the axis of the rod 22 as a pivot, upwardly before each station-to-station rotation of v the table 11-, and downwardly whenever the table comes to rest in a station. It happens that the tripper part has'a definiteand useful purpose in the machine as it is originally constructed, prior to my alteration of the same and without in1erfering with this purpose, I use the tripperpart as an actuating and timing means for the branding attachment, as will be described in a later stage of the'specification.

For starting and stopping the intermittent rotation'of the table 11, there is provided a control lever 24 latched by means of aconventional rack and plunger arrangement 26, and connected by a shaft 28 to the table rotating mechanism.

The parts heretofore described are all part of the machine as it was before I effected the alterations and applied the attachments which permit the carrying out of a branding operation at station 2, and accordingly form no part of my invention except insofar as they cooperate with the branding attachments whose parts are now to be described. 1 I

The branding attachment includes an elongated, horizontally disposed, branding arm 30 pivotally mounte'djon' and connected at one end toa pedestal 32 projecting upwardly from the stationary tablelO, the pivot being in the nature of a removable pin 34 having an enlarged handle end 36 and'held by a cotter pin38. The brand'- ing arm 30 passes above the rotating table l0 and by station 2, and ,a portion thereof near such station is' provided withv a horizontal hole through which passesthe bolt end 40 of a clamp member 42, this clamp member being held to the branding arm by a nut 44 threaded on the bolt end 40, there being a boss or ajsecond nut 46 formed on the bolt 40 for assisting in securing. the

clamp part 42 withrespcct to' the arm 30. A

second clamp part'j48 connected to the first by bolts 50 passing through ears 52 formed on'the ends of the clamp parts 42--48, eooperates'with the clamp part 42 to clamp in place a branding iron'which is in the nature of an elongated metal cylinder54 containing an electrically heating ele-, ment or coil, not,shown, the upper end ofihe cylinder 54 being provided with a wooden or heat insulating handle56 through which passes the cord 58 whieh'conducts electrical current to the heating element in the cylinder 54, thecord having on its free end a conventional plug 60 for connection to an electrical circuit, The lower end of the cylinderis provided'with a conical'c'huck 62 into whose bore maybe passed a post 64 formed as part of'the branding press 66, the post 64 meat being clamped in "place inthechucE by' aset ew 1 i.

The branding. press 66, shown l best n- Figs: 2 and5, in the-"forms illustrate'd;"iiicl udes"abase plate '70, 'generally'of L cross section and adapted to seat a clampingbar 72 whichmaybe' heid to the base plate by. means such as screwsfii' the .parts'cooperating to define a slot 16 for the reception of the branding indicia, 1' These" may be formed as raised letters onsmallyblocks'liifdis= posed in the 5101;]76 and h'eld ag'a inst yeme tj by small clamping'blocks 80, in tur'h held riplacej only the indicia will engage the top sarraq jar vided with 'a'blade like part tro-whichl'passes through a U-shaped strip'or'fba'il 92 secured to ppin art 20, by me n h crew m; the clearance between'the blade: andthe slot 96in the lJ-shapedstrip92 being such jthatnti binding interference between the bladej and the tripper part 20 'will take piece; whenthey'jnove" together and'relativelyl The operation of themachineas equipped with the novel branding attachment, is"asjfollows':'

before it moves out of its stations, the, tripping part 20 'will move vertically, ri'sing .iusl ilbief ore the tablerotation and dropping'as the table comes to rest. When thetripping part 20 moves up wardly, 1:. lifts the branding arm 3oandthm iss 66 carried thereby, and consequently thefpress will clear the table 11', tthdthe cigarsjinpooliets 14. When thetablecomestorestjthettibping part will drop, and will'permitthe' branding arm 30' and the press carried thereby to drop so that the indicia will engage the top surface of the cigar 16 that happens to be in station 2.

In order to prevent the indicia from branding the cigar too lightly, the parts are so connected that the arm 30 will tend to drop considerably below its desired position, this insuring the in-' dicia engaging the ciganheavily enough at least. However, to prevent too heavy a. contact or engagement, there is provided a stop or movement limiting means which is in the nature of a bolt projecting upwardly from the stationary table 10, under and in the path of movement of the arm 30, the upper or headed end of the bolt acting as a stop for the arm 30. A check nut 102, threaded on the bolt 100, securely locks the bolt in a predetermined desired position, the bolt being adjustable to vary the amount of drop of the arm 30.

In order to prevent the attachmentfrom being 7 caused to come to rest, for a long interval, in engagement with a cigar that happens to be in station 2, and consequently burning the cigar so positioned, the shaft 28 which starts and stops the intermittent rotary movement of the table 11 is provided with a crank 110 connected by the lever 24 is moved counterclockwise, Fig. 3,

to discontinue rotation of the table 11, pin 114 is caused to move upwardly to engage'arm 30 theordinary skilled mechanic.

and lift it a considerable distance,*enough so that-the branding pressfwi'll clear the cigar thatth'etri'pper part 20 is down.

In the Ioregoing, there has been describedan embodiment of: the invention which was created happens t'obe positioned in stationZ, even though to: conform to the particular'machine I had before me. I do not wish, however, to have my invention limited to the particular machine I have illustratedffor it is obvious that similar but somewhat different wrapping machines may be "equipped with the branding attachment of the'invention without departing from the spirit of the invention, modifications being eifected as desiredand'as will bewell within the purview of I Iow having described the illustrated embodi merit, reference will be had to the appended claims which will determine the scope of the invention.

1. Ina machinefor wrapping cigars, means for'-mo'ving a cigar through aplurality of stations, intermittently and withrest' intervals, one of said-stations being a loading station, a succeeding station being a branding station, and a still later station being a wrapping station, a

heated press for branding" a cigar while it is in the branding station, means synchronously timed tothe intermittent'motion of the cigar moving means for moving said press into engagement with 'a' cigar after the latter comes to rest in Whenthe table 11 rotates intermittentliand just the branding station, and for moving said-press out-of engagement with the cigar before the latter is moved out of the branding station, and

tioh'sfintermittently and with resti'ritervals, oneof said stations being a loading statiomas'ucceeding-"stationbeing a brandingstation'and a still later station being a wrapping station, a heated press for branding a cigar while it is in the branding station, means synchronously timed to the intermittent motion of the cigar moving means for moving said press into engagement with a cigar after the latter comes to rest in the branding station, and for moving said press out of engagement with the cigar before the latter is moved out of the branding station, and means for automatically moving the press out of branding position when the intermittent motion of the cigar moving means is discontinued, the last mentioned means being connected to and operated by the means for discontinuing intermittent motion of said cigar moving means.

3. In a machine for wrapping cigars, heated press for branding the outer leaf of a cigar, means for transporting a branded cigar, individually, and without its being caused to come in abrasive contact'with other cigars, to a wrapping means, and means for wrapping a branded cigar, the last mentioned means operating on a cigar immediately after it has been branded, and means synchronously timed to the motion of the cigar transporting means for moving said press into engagement with a cigar when the latter is at rest in a branding station and for moving said press out of engagement with the cigar while the latter is still at rest inthe branding station,

and means for automatically moving the press out of branding position when the transporting means is rendered inoperative.

4.. In a machine for wrapping cigars, heated press for brandingthe outer leaf of a cigar, means for transporting a branded cigar, individually, and without its being causedto come in abrasive contact with other cigars, to a wrapping means, and means for wrapping a branded cigar, the last mentioned means operating on a cigar im-. mediately after it hasbeen branded," and means synchronously timed to the motion of the cigar transporting means for moving said press into engagement witha cigar when the latter is at rest in a branding station and for movingsaid press out of engagement with the cigar while the latter is still at rest in the branding station, and means for automaticallymoving said press out of branding position when the transporting means is rendered inoperative, the last mentioned meanslbeing connected to and operated by the means for rendering the transporting means inoperative. V v I,

5. In a multi-station unitary machine for branding and wrapping cigars, a rotatable carrier having individual cigar receiving pockets, branding means, in one station operating on a cigar in a pocket at that station, and wrapping means inv a succeeding station. operating on'a recently branddcigar ina pocket at that station, eachbranded cigar, en route to thewrappingmeans being transported individually while remaining in itspo'cket and out of abrasive con-, tact withother cigars.

, 6. In .a multi-station unitary machine for branding and wrapping cigars, arotatable carrier having individual cigar receiving pockets, heated press branding means in'one station operating on-acigar in a pocket at that station, and wrapping means a succeeding station operating on' a recently branded cigar in a pocket at that station, each branded cigar, en route to the wrappingmeans, being transported individually while remaining in its pocket and out of abrasive contact with other cigars.

7. A machine of the character described in claim S-including means for intermittently moving. the rotatable carrier, means synchronously timed to. the intermittent motion of the carrier for .moving the branding means into engagement with a cigar alter the latter comesto rest in a branding statiomand for moving' the branding means out of engagement with a cigar before the latter ismo'ved out of the branding station.

8. A machine of the character, described in claim 5 including means forintermitt ently moving the rotatable carrier, means synchronously timed to the intermittent motion of the carrier for moving. the brandingrneans into engagement with a cigar after the latter comes to rest ma branding. station, and for moving the branding means out of engagement with a cigar before the latter is moved out of the -branding station, and means for automatically moving the branding means out oi'branding position when the intermittent motion of the "carrier is discontinued.

9. A machine of the character described in clalmfi including means for .intermittently moving the rotatable carrier, means synchronously timed tothe intermittent motion of the carrier for moving the branding means into engagement with a cigar after the latter comes to rest in a branding. station, and for moving the branding me'ans out of engagement-with a cigar. before the'latter is moved out ofthe branding station.

10. A machine of ,the character described in claim 6 including means for intermittently moving the rotatable carrier, means synchronously timed to the intermittent motion of the carrier for moving the branding means into engagement with a cigar after thelatter comes to rest 

